CHICAGO -- The White Sox on Wednesday confirmed that they have banned the fan at the center of the previous night’s incident with Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte.
The incident occurred in the seventh inning of Arizona’s 4-1 win, when Marte became visibly emotional and was consoled on the field after the fan made a derogatory comment about his mother, who passed away in a car accident in 2017. The 22-year-old fan was then ejected when D-backs manager Torey Lovullo flagged stadium security. Per the White Sox, the fan was “very apologetic and remorseful” after the fact, admitting that the comment made was inappropriate.
Major League Baseball, in a statement made Wednesday, said, “We commend the White Sox for taking immediate action in removing the fan.”
The fan has also been banned indefinitely from all other MLB stadiums.
Speaking on the issue before Wednesday’s series finale at Rate Field, Lovullo confirmed Marte was in a much better place.
“He’s a remarkable young man. He’s incredibly strong, and last night was not easy for him,” Lovullo said. “We’re waking up today, and we’re grateful for the support that the baseball world, the community, the fans of Arizona have given us. The Chicago White Sox, as well, they’ve been very supportive. We’re ready to move on. I think that’s the best thing for everybody.”
Support for Marte has been vocal across the baseball world since Tuesday night’s incident. As of the conclusion of Wednesday’s game, over $11,000 in donations had been made to the Diamondbacks Foundation, all of which were made in the name of Marte’s mother. Donations had come in from 30 states and six countries.
Chicago also backed Marte on its left-field and right-field video boards during the second baseman’s first at-bat. As Marte walked to the plate, a message reading “The White Sox community supports Ketel Marte” was displayed while the crowd applauded in response.
"Really unfortunate incident,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “No players should ever have to be subjected to that kind of stuff from fans. I sent my apologies over to them last night, and I know a number of us have. [We] apologize again for what is not representative of how our fans behave, and just something that no players should be subjected to."
Added Chicago third baseman Josh Rojas, who played alongside Marte from 2019-23 in Arizona: “I've never experienced anything like that. That's a tough situation. You feel for him.
“I think the biggest thing that comes to mind is I think fans kind of get caught up in the sport and forget that we're still human beings. I think when something like that happens, it kind of opens people's eyes to remember these are real humans with real feelings and real stuff going on outside of the field."
Lovullo, who was seen on the field Tuesday night consoling Marte and later choked up when discussing the incident, expressed great pride in both his and his team’s response to what Marte endured.
“I just wear my heart on my sleeve, and I’m going to say what I believe and what I really mean,” Lovullo said. “They were authentic words, and I think the entire group felt the same way as I did. I have no problem crying, believing in the things that are so important to me.”